Medical communication system and medical device

ABSTRACT

A first medical device stores first additional information that is to be added to first information related to a subject. A second medical device stores second additional information that is to be added to second information related to the subject. A first communicator communicates the second information and part or all of the second additional information stored in the second medical device, between the first medical device and the second medical device via a network defined by a prescribed protocol different from the DICOM protocol. A DICOM information generator generates DICOM-format data for the second information on the basis of at least information received via the first communicator. A second communicator communicates DICOM-format data with the DICOM server via a network defined by the DICOM protocol, the DICOM-format data being for the second information and being generated by the DICOM information generator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-021325, filed Feb. 5, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2016/081762, filed Oct. 26, 2016, which was not published under PCT Article 21 (2) in English.

FIELD

The present invention is related to a medical communication system that includes a plurality of medical devices and a server for storing a medical image, and that transmits and receives the medical image between the medical device and the server, the medical devices obtaining the medical image through an examination etc., and is related to the medical device. The present invention is related particularly to a medical communication system and a medical device that are compatible with the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) standard.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, systems compatible with the DICOM standard tend to be used for managing medical images that have been obtained by picking up images of the examination subject through the use of a medical device such as an endoscopic device etc. in medical scenes. A system compatible with the DICOM standard generates DICOM-format data from a medical image obtained by a medical device, and stores the data in a DICOM-compatible server.

In some conventional use cases, one endoscopic examination uses a plurality of image-pickup devices such as an ultrasonic endoscope etc. in addition to an ordinary endoscope. A use case of using such a plurality of image-pickup devices will hereinafter be referred to also as a use case of multi modality. A system compatible with the DICOM standard that can respond to such a use case is also being discussed and has been made public (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2009-022626 for example).

Currently, there is a limitation that only one modality can be used for one examination that is conducted through communications with a DICOM server on a network compatible with a DICOM protocol.

The DICOM standard defines information that is added to image data of each of the endoscopic image and the ultrasonic image.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, a medical communication system includes a first medical device configured to store first additional information that is to be added to first information related to a subject when DICOM-format data for the first information is generated, a DICOM server configured to be able to communicate with the first medical device via a network defined by a DICOM protocol, a second medical device configured to store second additional information that is to be added to second information related to the subject when DICOM-format data for the second information is generated, a first communicator configured to communicate the second information and part or all of the second additional information stored in the second medical device, between the first medical device and the second medical device via a network defined by a prescribed protocol different from the DICOM protocol, a DICOM information generator that is provided to the first medical device, and that is configured to generate DICOM-format data for the second information on the basis of at least information received via the first communicator, and a second communicator that is provided to the first medical device, and that is configured to communicate DICOM-format data with the DICOM server via a network defined by the DICOM protocol, the DICOM-format data being for the second information and being generated by the DICOM information generator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a medical system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining a process in which a medical system according to the first embodiment records an image and transfers an image to a DICOM server;

FIG. 3A exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (first);

FIG. 3B exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (second);

FIG. 3C exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (third);

FIG. 3D exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (fourth);

FIG. 3E exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (fifth);

FIG. 3F exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (sixth);

FIG. 3G exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (seventh);

FIG. 3H exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (eighth);

FIG. 3I exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (ninth);

FIG. 3J exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (tenth);

FIG. 3K exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (eleventh);

FIG. 3L exemplifies information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data (twelfth);

FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration of a medical system according to the second embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining a process in which the medical system according to the second embodiment records a video image and transfers a video image to a DICOM server.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, detailed explanations will be given for the embodiments of the present invention by referring to the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a medical system according to the present embodiment. A medical system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a video processor 1, an ultrasonic observation device 2 for an endoscope, an ultrasonic endoscope 4, and a DICOM server 3. Hereinafter, the ultrasonic observation device 2 for an endoscope will be referred to as the ultrasonic observation device 2. The medical system 100 performs a necessary process on an image signal obtained from the examination subject through the ultrasonic endoscope 4, and thereby generates data having a DICOM-format data structure so as to store this data in the DICOM server 3.

The video processor 1 includes a scope connection unit 11, a control unit 12, an image process unit 14, an image recording unit 16, a storage unit 17, a memory 13, a communication interface unit 15, an external-image input unit 18, and a network interface unit 19. In FIG. 1 and the subsequent figures, the communication interface unit 15 and the external-image input unit 18 will be referred to as the communication I/F unit 15 and the network I/F unit 19, respectively. The video processor 1 generates DICOM-format endoscopic image data and DICOM-format ultrasonic image data in the medical system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

In the video processor 1, the scope connection unit 11 serves as a connection interface unit with the ultrasonic endoscope 4, and receives an image signal that is input from the ultrasonic endoscope 4. While FIG. 1 illustrates the ultrasonic endoscope 4, the scope of the invention is not limited to this, and an ordinary endoscope and an ultrasonic probe may be used instead of this.

The control unit 12 controls the respective units constituting the video processor 1, and also controls connected devices, such as the ultrasonic endoscope 4 etc., in relation to endoscopic examinations. When receiving a release signal from the ultrasonic endoscope 4 via the scope connection unit 11, the control unit 12 performs a process in which the respective units are controlled in accordance with the observation mode of the ultrasonic endoscope 4 so as to make the respective units generate DICOM-format image data. The control unit 12 also performs a process of transmitting the generated data to the DICOM server 3. Such processes will be described later specifically and in detail.

The image process unit 14 performs a necessary process on the input image signal so as to obtain DICOM-format endoscopic image data in the normal mode as the above observation mode. Note that the normal mode is a mode in which an endoscope is used for observations. Information necessary for generating DICOM-format endoscopic image data is stored in the memory 13. The image recording unit 16 temporarily records the obtained image data. The video processor 1 communicates with the DICOM server 3 in a DICOM protocol, and the image data recorded in the image recording unit 16 is transmitted to the DICOM server 3 via the network interface unit 19.

The external-image input unit 18 receives the input of an image signal that received a necessary process through the ultrasonic observation device 2 in the ultrasonic mode as the above observation mode. Note that the ultrasonic mode is a mode in which an ultrasonic observation device is used for observations. In addition to this, information necessary for obtaining DICOM-format image data is obtained for the ultrasonic image from the ultrasonic observation device 2 by performing communications with the ultrasonic observation device 2 via the communication I/F unit 15 in a prescribed protocol that is different from a DICOM protocol in the ultrasonic mode in the present embodiment.

The storage unit 17 stores the operating system (OS), an application, and etc. of the video processor 1. The control unit 12 reads the OS and an application from the storage unit 17 to develop and execute them, thereby controls the respective units of the video processor 1 and the system, generates DICOM-format image data according to the present embodiment, transmits the generated image data to the DICOM server 3, and performs other processes.

The ultrasonic observation device 2 includes an ultrasonic scope-probe connection unit 21, a control unit 22, an image process unit 24, a storage unit 26, a memory 23, a communication interface unit 25, and an image output unit 27. In FIG. 1 and the subsequent figures, the communication interface unit 25 will be referred to as the communication I/F unit 25. When the ultrasonic mode is set as the observation mode for the endoscopic examination, the ultrasonic observation device 2 performs a necessary process on an image signal input from the ultrasonic endoscope 4, and outputs the signal to the video processor 1. In addition to this, the ultrasonic observation device 2 according to the present embodiment transmits, to the video processor 1, information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data.

The ultrasonic scope-probe connection unit 21 serves as a connection interface unit with the ultrasonic endoscope 4, and receives an image signal input from the ultrasonic endoscope 4.

The control unit 22 controls the respective units constituting the ultrasonic observation device 2, and, when receiving an image signal from the ultrasonic endoscope 4 via the ultrasonic scope-probe connection unit 21, controls the respective units such as the image process unit 24 etc. to make them generate ultrasonic image data.

As described above, the image process unit 24 performs a necessary process on the image signal input via the ultrasonic scope-probe connection unit 21, and generates ultrasonic image data. In order to generate DICOM-format image data in the video processor 1, the generated image data and its corresponding prescribed information are transmitted to the video processor 1 respectively via the image output unit 27 and the communication I/F unit 25. This will be explained later in detail.

The storage unit 26 stores the operating system (OS), an application, and etc. of the ultrasonic observation device 2. The control unit 22 reads the OS and an application from the storage unit 26 to develop and execute them, and thereby controls the respective units of the ultrasonic observation device 2. The control unit 22 according to the present embodiment performs for example a transmission process in which image data and information necessary for the video processor 1 to generate DICOM-format ultrasonic image data are transmitted to the video processor 1. Information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data is stored in the memory 23.

As described above, the video processor 1 generates DICOM-format data from an image that is obtained on the basis of whether the normal mode or the ultrasonic mode is set as the observation mode in the endoscopic examination, and transmits the generated image to the DICOM server 3. The DICOM server 3 stores data received via a network interface unit 31. Note in FIG. 1 that the network interface unit 31 is referred to as the network I/F unit 31.

When the ultrasonic mode is set as the observation mode, the video processor 1 receives the necessary information and the image data that received the image process from the ultrasonic observation device 2, and generates DICOM-format ultrasonic image data on the basis of this. This will be explained specifically by referring to the flowcharts etc.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining a process in which the medical system 100 according to the present embodiment records an image and transfers an image to the DICOM server 3.

The video processor 1, when starting one endoscopic examination, generates identification information such as an ID (Identification) for identifying an examination, sets information for identifying the modality to be used for the examination, and holds these pieces of information in the memory 13. “Modality” herein refers to a medical device. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, “endoscope” is set as the modality to be used.

When the information for identifying the examination and the modality to be used are set, the examination starts. The user such as a doctor etc. thereafter observes the inside of the body cavity of the examination subject by using the ultrasonic endoscope 4 while appropriately switching the observation mode between the normal mode and the ultrasonic mode. When finding a spot etc. that may involve a lesion, the user manipulates a manipulation button etc. at the user's hand. A release signal is issued from the ultrasonic endoscope 4 in response to the manipulation, and is input to the video processor 1. In step S1, the control unit 12 of the video processor 1 detects the release manipulation on the basis of the signal.

In step S2, the control unit 12 of the video processor 1 issues a release ID for identifying a release. Thereafter, the control unit 12 detects, through a freeze signal input from the ultrasonic endoscope 4, that the user performed a freeze manipulation in step S3, and the process proceeds to the determination in step S4.

In step S4, the control unit 12 determines whether the ultrasonic observation device 2 is connected to the medical system 100 and the ultrasonic mode is set as the observation mode. When the ultrasonic observation device 2 is connected to the medical system 100 and the observation mode is the ultrasonic mode, the process proceeds to step S8, and in the other cases, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5 and the subsequent steps, the DICOM-format endoscopic image is recorded and is transferred to the DICOM server 3. Specifically, the control unit 12 of the video processor 1 in step S5 first generates DICOM-format endoscopic image data from the data of an endoscopic image of normal visible light obtained by performing a necessary process in the image process unit 14 and from information held in the memory 13, and records the data in the image recording unit 16. When the control unit 12 detects the cancellation of the release in step S6, the control unit 12 reads the data of the DICOM-format endoscopic image from the image recording unit 16 in step S17, and transmits the data to the DICOM server 3. Upon the termination of the transmission process, the series of the processes in FIG. 2 is terminated. The processes of recording and transferring an endoscopic image are similar to those in the conventional techniques in which the modality to be used is endoscope.

In step S8 and the subsequent steps, the DICOM-format ultrasonic image is recorded and transferred to the DICOM server 3. Specifically, the control unit 12 of the video processor 1 in step S8 first transmits the release ID issued in step S2 to the ultrasonic observation device 2 via the communication I/F unit 15. When the control unit 22 of the ultrasonic observation device 2 receives the release ID via the communication I/F unit 25 in step S9, the control unit 22 reads the information necessary for generating the DICOM-format ultrasonic image data from the memory 23. The control unit 22 associates the read information with the received release ID, and transmits them to the video processor 1 via the communication I/F unit 25.

FIG. 3A through FIG. 3L exemplify information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic image data.

The DICOM standard defines the data structure of information that is to be added to image data, and the video processor 1 adds the defined pieces of information (metadata) respectively to the endoscopic image and the ultrasonic image in accordance with this definition, and thereby generates DICOM-format image data.

Note that FIG. 3A through FIG. 3L illustrate the difference between the endoscopic image data and the ultrasonic image data of the DICOM-format image data in a shaded manner. The items that are not shaded are similar to information that is added to the data of the endoscopic image, and the video processor 1 utilizes the information held in the memory 13 belonging to the video processor 1.

The explanation returns to FIG. 2, in which when the communication I/F unit 25 of the ultrasonic observation device 2 transmits the information shaded in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3L in step S9, the video processor 1 receives the information via the communication I/F unit 15. In addition to this, the ultrasonic observation device 2 transmits, to the video processor 1 and from the image output unit 27, ultrasonic image data obtained by performing a necessary process in the image process unit 24. The video processor 1 receives the image data via the external-image input unit 18.

In order to reduce the communication amount, the ultrasonic observation device 2 in step S9 transmits only the portion different from the DICOM-format endoscopic image (the items shaded in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3L) to the video processor 1 via the communication I/F unit 25 as described above. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example all the items in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3L may be transmitted.

The control unit 12 of the video processor 1 in step S10 uses the ultrasonic image in the PinP (Picture in Picture) input received via the external-image input unit 18 and at least the information received via the communication I/F unit 15 to generate DICOM-format ultrasonic image data. As described above, the DICOM-format ultrasonic image data is generated by adding the metadata illustrated in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3L to image data or pixel data. In the example, information not held in the video processor 1 is obtained from the ultrasonic observation device 2. The generated DICOM-format ultrasonic image data is recorded in the image recording unit 16 in association with the release ID issued in step S2.

In step S11 and step S12, processes similar to those in step S6 and step S7 are performed, respectively. In other words, when the control unit 12 detects the cancellation of the freeze in step S11, the control unit 12 reads the DICOM-format image data from the image recording unit 16 and transmits the data to the DICOM server 3. Upon the termination of the transmission process, the series of the processes in FIG. 2 is terminated.

As described above, after the information for identifying an examination and the modality to be used have been set to start one examination, the series of the processes illustrated in FIG. 2 is performed each time the user thereafter performs a release manipulation. In other words, the medical system 100 according to the present embodiment makes it possible to generate the DICOM-format image data for each of the endoscopic image and the ultrasonic image in accordance with the observation mode employed when a release manipulation is performed in one examination and to register the image data in the DICOM server 3.

As described above, the medical system 100 according to the present embodiment can generate DICOM-format image data for an endoscopic image or ultrasonic image obtained in accordance with the observation mode in a use case of multi modality and register the data in the DICOM server 3. While according to the DICOM standard, one modality is set for one examination, for a different modality, necessary information is obtained from that different modality side. In the above example, one modality is endoscopic, and the different modality is ultrasonic device. Using the obtained information makes it possible to generate DICOM-format data also for an image obtained with a modality that is not set as a modality to be used.

Data related to an endoscopic examination registered in the DICOM server 3 is used for purposes including the generation of a report after the examination. The ultrasonic image has been registered in the DICOM server 3 in the DICOM format similarly to the endoscopic image, enabling the user to utilize the information, illustrated in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3L in a hatched manner, that is added to the ultrasonic image upon the generation of the report.

For example, the module “US Region Calibration Module” illustrated in FIG. 3E and FIG. 3F includes x0, y0, x1, and y1, which represent the positional coordinates of the vertexes of the ultrasonic image expressed in a rectangle, respectively as the attribute names (“Region Location Min x0” of Attribute name etc.) ((*1) in FIG. 3E). Physical units in the x and y directions (“Physical Units X (Y) Direction” of Attribute Name), and the increment thereof (“Physical Delta X (Y)” of Attribute Name), and the reference positional coordinates x0, y0 (“Reference Pixel x0 (y0)” of Attribute Name) are also included ((*2) in FIG. 3F). These pieces of information enable the user to for example identify a spot that may involve a lesion etc. in an image so as to generate a report or to do other tasks.

While FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration in which a DICOM-format image obtained in one examination in accordance with the observation mode is generated in the video processor 1, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a configuration is also possible in which the ultrasonic observation device 2 performs the above process. In that case, the ultrasonic observation device 2 receives a release manipulation and a freeze manipulation performed by the user, and issues a release ID to transmit it to the video processor 1. The video processor 1 that received the release ID reads, from the memory 13 belonging to itself, information necessary for generating a DICOM-format endoscopic image, and transmits it in association with the release ID. On the basis of the release ID, the ultrasonic observation device 2 associates image data to be received from the video processor 1 with information necessary for generating a DICOM-format image to be received from the video processor 1, and generates the data of a DICOM-format endoscopic image so as to transmit the data to the DICOM server 3. This configuration also achieves similar effects to those achieved by the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2.

It is also possible to configure a medical system in such a manner that three or more medical devices each can obtain an image and generate a DICOM-format image. In that case, the medical system is configured so that a plurality of types of medical devices can communicate a release ID and image data with a medical device that is connected to the DICOM server 3 and that generates and transfers a DICOM-format image. For example, when the video processor 1 is connected to the DICOM server 3 and generates and transfers a DICOM-format image, the video processor 1 issues a release ID in accordance with a release manipulation and transmits the release ID to the medical device in accordance with the observation mode. Operations performed in the medical device that received a release ID and operations performed in the video processor 1 after receiving necessary information in association with the release ID are similar to those in the case of the above configuration with two medical devices. As described above, configurations with three or more medical devices achieve effects similar to those achieved by the configuration with two medical devices illustrated in FIG. 2.

Second Embodiment

The above first embodiment generates a DICOM-format image as a still image. The present embodiment is different in generating a DICOM-format video image.

Explanations will hereinafter be given for the medical system according to the present embodiment centering on points different from the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration of the medical system 100 according to the present embodiment. While the video processor 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 makes the image recording unit 16 record a generated DICOM-format image as illustrated in the configuration diagram of FIG. 1 for the first embodiment, a DICOM-format video image is recorded in a video recording unit 161 in FIG. 4, which is a different point.

According to the medical system 100 of the present embodiment, an endoscopic video is imported in the normal mode as the above observation mode, and an ultrasonic video is imported in the ultrasonic mode as the above observation mode. In accordance with the set observation mode, DICOM-format video data is generated for the corresponding modality, and the generated DICOM-format video data is registered in the DICOM server 3. Specific explanations will be given for this method by referring to flowcharts.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining a process in which the medical system 100 according to the present embodiment records a video image and transfers a video image to the DICOM server 3.

Similarly to the case in FIG. 2 where a still image is recorded and transferred, the video processor 1, when starting one endoscopic examination, generates identification information for identifying an examination, sets information for identifying the modality to be used for the examination, and holds these pieces of information in the memory 13. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, “endoscope” is set as the modality to be used.

When the information for identifying the examination and the modality to be used are set, the examination starts. The user thereafter observes the inside of the body cavity of the examination subject by using the ultrasonic endoscope 4 while appropriately switching the observation mode between the normal mode and the ultrasonic mode. When finding a spot etc. that may involve a lesion, the user manipulates a manipulation button etc. at the user's hand in order to instruct that the recording of a video image start. A signal instructing that the recording of a video image start is issued from the ultrasonic endoscope 4 in response to the manipulation, and is input to the video processor 1. In step S21, the signal makes the control unit 12 of the video processor 1 detect the instruction to start the recording of the video image.

In step S22, the control unit 12 of the video processor 1 issues a management ID for managing the video. The process then proceeds to the determination in step S23.

The determination in step S23 is similar to the determination in step S4 illustrated in FIG. 2. When the ultrasonic observation device 2 is connected to the medical system 100 and the observation mode is the ultrasonic mode, the process proceeds to step S27, and in the other cases, the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S24 and the subsequent steps, the DICOM-format endoscopic video is recorded and is transferred to the DICOM server 3. Specifically, the control unit 12 of the video processor 1 in step S24 first generates DICOM-format endoscopic video data from the data of an endoscopic video of normal visible light obtained by performing a necessary process in the image process unit 14 and from information held in the memory 13, and records the data in the video recording unit 161. In step S25, the control unit 12 determines whether a signal instructing that the recording of the video be terminated has been received from the ultrasonic endoscope 4, and continues the process of recording the DICOM-format endoscopic video in step S24 until receiving such a signal. When such a signal is received, the process proceeds to step S26, where the control unit 12 reads the data of the DICOM-format endoscopic video from the video recording unit 161 so as to transmit the data to the DICOM server 3. Upon the termination of the transmission process, the series of the processes in FIG. 5 is terminated. Similarly to FIG. 2, the processes of recording and transferring an endoscopic image are similar to those in the conventional techniques in which the modality to be used is endoscope.

By contrast, in step S27 and the subsequent steps, the DICOM-format ultrasonic video is recorded and transferred to the DICOM server 3. Specifically, the control unit 12 of the video processor 1 in step S27 first transmits the management ID issued in step S22 to the ultrasonic observation device 2 via the communication I/F unit 15. When receiving the management ID via the communication I/F unit 25, the control unit 22 of the ultrasonic observation device 2 holds the ID in the memory 23. In addition to this, the control unit 22 of the ultrasonic observation device 2 transmits, to the video processor 1 and from the image output unit 27, ultrasonic video data obtained by performing a necessary process in the image process unit 24, and the video processor 1 receives the video data via the external-image input unit 18.

In step S28, the control unit 12 of the video processor 1 records, in the video recording unit 161, the ultrasonic video in the PinP input that has been received via the external-image input unit 18. Then, the control unit 12 in step S29 determines whether a signal instructing that the recording of the video be terminated has been received from the ultrasonic endoscope 4, and continues the process of recording ultrasonic video in the video recording unit 161 in step S28 until receiving such a signal. When receiving such a signal, the process proceeds to step S30.

In step S30, the control unit 22 of the ultrasonic observation device 2 reads, from the memory 23, information necessary for generating DICOM-format ultrasonic video data in the video processor 1. The control unit 22 associates the read information with the received management ID, and transmits them to the video processor 1 via the communication I/F unit 25. The video processor 1 receives the information via the communication I/F unit 15.

In step S31, the control unit 12 of the video processor 1 associates the data of the video recorded in the video recording unit 161 in step S28 with the information received in step S30, generates the data of DICOM-format ultrasonic video, and again records this in the video recording unit 161. In step S32, the control unit 12 reads the data of the DICOM-format ultrasonic video from the video recording unit 161, and transmits it to the DICOM server 3. Upon the termination of the transmission process, the series of the processes in FIG. 5 is terminated.

As described above, effects similar to those achieved by the first embodiment can be achieved also by treating video data as in the medical system 100 of the present embodiment. The present embodiment is similar to the first embodiment also in that the ultrasonic observation device 2 obtains necessary information from the video processor 1 so as to generate DICOM-format endoscopic video and it can be applied to a medical system with three or more medical devices.

The above respective embodiments make it possible to generate DICOM-format data in accordance with each modality even in a use case of multi modality and register the data in a DICOM server under the current DICOM standard.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments as they are, but can be embodied by changing constituents in the implementation without departing from the spirit thereof. It is also possible to form various inventions by an appropriate combination of a plurality of constituents disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, it is possible to appropriately combine all the constituents that are disclosed in the embodiments. It is further possible to appropriately combine constituents disclosed in different embodiments. Of course, these various changes and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical communication system comprising: a first medical device configured to store first additional information that is to be added to first information related to a subject when DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine)-format data for the first information is generated; a DICOM server configured to be able to communicate with the first medical device via a network defined by a DICOM protocol; a second medical device configured to store second additional information that is to be added to second information related to the subject when DICOM-format data for the second information is generated; a first communicator configured to communicate the second information and part or all of the second additional information stored in the second medical device, between the first medical device and the second medical device via a network defined by a prescribed protocol different from the DICOM protocol; a DICOM information generator that is provided to the first medical device, and that is configured to generate DICOM-format data for the second information on the basis of at least information received via the first communicator; and a second communicator that is provided to the first medical device, and that is configured to communicate DICOM-format data with the DICOM server via a network defined by the DICOM protocol, the DICOM-format data being for the second information and being generated by the DICOM information generator.
 2. The medical communication system according to claim 1, wherein the DICOM information generator generates DICOM-format data for both the first information and the second information in one examination for the first medical device, and the second communicator transmits, to the DICOM server, the DICOM-format data for both the first information and the second information generated by the DICOM information generator in the one examination.
 3. The medical communication system according to claim 2, wherein the first communicator uses identification information for identifying obtainment of the second information in the medical communication system, and thereby communicates with the second medical device so as to obtain the second information and at least a difference, in the second additional information, from the first additional information.
 4. The medical communication system according to claim 3, wherein the second medical device transmits, to the first medical device, at least the difference in association with the identification information.
 5. The medical communication system according to claim 4, wherein the DICOM information generator, on the basis of the identification information, uses the second information and at least information received via the first communicator to add metadata defined by a DICOM protocol to the second information, and thereby generates DICOM-format data for the second information.
 6. The medical communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first medical device is an endoscopic device, and the second medical device is an ultrasonic observation device for an endoscope, and the first information and the second information are respectively an endoscopic image and an ultrasonic endoscopic image generated by the endoscopic device and the ultrasonic observation device for an endoscope.
 7. The medical communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first medical device is an endoscopic device, and the second medical device is an ultrasonic observation device for an endoscope, and the first information and the second information are respectively an endoscopic video and an ultrasonic endoscopic video generated by the endoscopic device and the ultrasonic observation device for an endoscope.
 8. A medical device that generates first DICOM information on the basis of first information related to a subject and first additional information necessary for generating DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine)-format data for the first information, the medical device comprising: a receiver configured to receive second information generated by an external device and second additional information necessary for generating DICOM-format data for the second information from the external device via a network defined by a prescribed protocol different from the DICOM protocol; a DICOM information generator configured to generate the first DICOM information on the basis of the first information and the first additional information, and further to generate second DICOM information on the basis of the second information and the second additional information received via the receiver; and a transmitter configured to transmit the first DICOM information or the second DICOM information to a DICOM server via a network that is defined by a DICOM protocol.
 9. A medical communication system comprising: a first medical device configured to store first additional information that is to be added to first information related to a subject when DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine)-format data for the first information is generated; a second medical device configured to store second additional information that is to be added to second information related to the subject when DICOM-format data for the second information is generated; a communicator configured to communicate the second information and part or all of the second additional information stored in the second medical device, between the first medical device and the second medical device via a network defined by a prescribed protocol different from the DICOM protocol; a DICOM information generator that is provided to the first medical device, and that is configured to generate DICOM-format data for the second information on the basis of at least information received via the communicator; and a transmitter that is provided to the first medical device, and that is configured to transmit DICOM-format data to a DICOM server via a network defined by a DICOM protocol, the DICOM-format data being for the second information and being generated by the DICOM information generator. 